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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.